We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Danielle Belardo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Danielle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We love heartwarming stories – do you have a heartwarming story from your career to share?

I had the privilege of working with an incredible woman in her 40s who had spent most of her life battling with her weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure. She came to me frustrated and discouraged, having tried every diet imaginable, only to regain the same 20-30 pounds each time. At 260 pounds, she was also dealing with severe joint pain in her knees that made even simple daily activities difficult.

When she became my patient, we took a comprehensive, evidence-based approach. I introduced her to GLP-1 medical therapy, which helped address the biological challenges she faced in managing her weight. Together, we worked on crafting a sustainable, high-fiber, plant-predominant diet rich in plant and lean proteins. She also started an exercise regimen tailored to her abilities at the time, gradually building her strength and endurance.

Within a year, her transformation was nothing short of remarkable. She lost over 125 pounds, reaching her college weight of 135 pounds. Her high cholesterol resolved entirely, and her blood pressure improved so much that she was able to stop all of her medications. The most inspiring part? The joint pain that had once kept her from enjoying life faded, and she went on to achieve something she never thought possible—she ran her first half marathon.

This journey wasn’t just about the weight she lost but about the life she gained. Watching her reclaim her health and confidence has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. It’s a testament to the power of personalized, compassionate care combined with the latest advancements in medical science. Her story continues to inspire me and so many others every day.

Danielle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Dr. Danielle Belardo, a preventive cardiologist and the founder of Precision Preventive Cardiology located in Pasadena, California. My mission is to help patients optimize their health through cutting-edge, evidence-based medical care combined with personalized lifestyle and nutrition interventions. I specialize in cardiometabolic health, focusing on areas such as obesity and weight management, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart disease prevention.

How I Got Here
My journey into preventive cardiology began with a deep passion for the intersection of nutrition science, medicine, and patient care. During my medical training, I was struck by how many chronic conditions could be prevented—or even put into remission—with the right approach. I saw an enormous gap in traditional medical care, where prevention often took a backseat to treatment. I knew I wanted to change that.

As my career developed, I immersed myself in academic research, nutrition science and evidence-based medicine, always looking for innovative ways to help patients. Over time, I realized that combining advanced medical therapies with comprehensive lifestyle changes could create truly transformative outcomes. That realization shaped my practice and philosophy.

What We Do at Precision Preventive Cardiology
At Precision Preventive Cardiology, we offer a personalized approach to health. Our services include:

Outpatient Consultations: Both in-office and virtual consultations tailored to meet the needs of patients in California, Pennsylvania, New York, Minnesota, and even internationally.
Advanced Cardiometabolic Care: We manage and treat conditions like obesity, high cholesterol, and hypertension, with a strong focus on prevention and risk reduction.
Nutrition and Lifestyle Guidance: We emphasize evidence-based nutrition and partner with patients to develop sustainable, practical changes to support their health goals.
GLP-1 Therapy Expertise: For patients struggling with weight management, we offer guidance on GLP-1 medications, which have been life-changing for many.
Heart Disease Treatment and Prevention: Using a comprehensive approach, we help patients to optimize their health to prevent heart disease, and reduce their cardiovascular disease risk.
Fitness Education: From strength training for all fitness levels to exercise regimens tailored to patient needs, we incorporate fitness into the care plan.

Problems We Solve:
We address some of the most challenging and prevalent health issues, such as:

Helping patients achieve sustainable weight loss when other methods have failed.
Improving cardiometabolic conditions like high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes.
Guiding patients to reduce their cardiovascular risk with science-backed strategies.
Helping patients take control of their health by making informed, practical lifestyle changes.

What Sets Us Apart
What sets us apart is our commitment to evidence-based, personalized care. We’re not a one-size-fits-all practice. Each patient receives an individualized plan that combines the latest medical therapies, scientific research, and lifestyle modifications.

Another key distinction is our team-based approach. We view our relationship with patients as a partnership—we’re here to empower and support them every step of the way.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m incredibly proud of the trust my patients place in me and the transformative changes they achieve. Seeing someone regain their health, confidence, and quality of life is profoundly rewarding. Whether it’s a patient running their first race after overcoming a lifetime of obesity, or someone reducing their risk of a heart attack with a tailored plan, these victories fuel my passion for what I do.

What I Want You to Know
For anyone considering working with me or following my work, I want you to know that my practice is rooted in science, compassion, and a commitment to your health. I’m here to provide you with the tools and guidance you need to achieve your goals—not through quick fixes or fads, but through sustainable, evidence-based care. My ultimate aim is to help my patients live longer, healthier, and happier lives.

And while my focus is on the science of prevention, I also value approachability. I believe in making health and medical care understandable and achievable for everyone.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the most important lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that hard work alone guarantees success—both for myself and my patients. Let me explain.

When I first started my medical training, I believed that if I just worked hard enough, I could solve any problem. I carried that same mindset into my patient care. I assumed that if patients were motivated and followed all the advice I gave them—working hard on their diet, exercise, and lifestyle—they would inevitably succeed. I thought success was entirely about discipline, willpower, and effort.

But over time, I realized how oversimplified that belief was. I saw countless patients who were working incredibly hard to lose weight, lower their cholesterol, or improve their blood pressure, yet they continued to struggle. Many of them blamed themselves, believing they simply weren’t trying hard enough. It was heartbreaking.

The turning point for me came when I began delving deeper into the science of obesity and cardiometabolic health. I started learning more about the complex interplay of genetics, hormones, biology, and environment. I began to understand that many of the obstacles my patients faced weren’t due to a lack of effort—they were fighting against powerful biological mechanisms designed to maintain their weight or drive cravings.

For example, I worked with a patient who had been trying to lose weight for years. She followed every diet, exercised regularly, and tracked her calories meticulously, yet her weight hardly budged. I realized that her struggle wasn’t about motivation; it was about the biology of weight regulation, including her insulin resistance and hormonal imbalances.

That’s when I embraced a more nuanced and compassionate approach to care. I began incorporating evidence-based medical therapies, like GLP-1 receptor agonists, that could address the biological barriers to weight loss. I also stopped framing health as a matter of “just try harder” and instead focused on empowering patients with tools that worked with their biology.

Unlearning that simplistic “hard work guarantees success” mindset changed everything for me. It helped me create a practice that blends cutting-edge science with compassionate, personalized care. Most importantly, it allowed me to help patients achieve sustainable, life-changing results without the guilt or shame of feeling like they weren’t “trying hard enough.”

The backstory here is a reminder that success—whether in medicine or life—is rarely linear. It’s not just about effort; it’s about having the right tools, the right support, and the right strategies. It’s a lesson I carry with me every day.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

Absolutely, I would choose the same profession and specialty again without hesitation. Becoming a cardiologist, and specifically specializing in preventive cardiology, has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life. Here’s why:

The Impact of Preventive Cardiology
Cardiology is such a dynamic field—constantly evolving with new research, innovations, and treatments. But preventive cardiology, in particular, allows me to make a profound impact on patients’ lives. It’s not just about treating diseases; it’s about helping people avoid them altogether. There’s something uniquely powerful about guiding someone toward a healthier, longer life before a heart attack or stroke ever happens.

For example, working with a patient to improve their high cholesterol, lower blood pressure, or lose significant weight often leads to transformative changes—not just in their physical health, but in their confidence, energy, and overall quality of life. Those moments are deeply fulfilling.

Why It’s a Perfect Fit
Preventive cardiology aligns with both my passion for evidence-based medicine and my desire to connect with patients on a meaningful level. It’s not just about writing prescriptions—it’s about education, empowerment, and partnership. I also love that this field allows me to stay at the forefront of science, blending advanced medical therapies with nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle guidance.

The Challenges That Inspire Me
Of course, the path to becoming a cardiologist wasn’t easy, and the specialty comes with its challenges. But those challenges have shaped who I am. The complexity of cardiovascular diseases, the critical thinking required, and the need to stay constantly informed keep me engaged and passionate.

Moreover, I’ve come to realize how much advocacy is needed in this field. Educating patients and the public about the science behind health—while cutting through misinformation—is an important part of my work that I’m deeply proud of.

Final Thoughts
This career is more than a job—it’s a calling. The opportunity to combine science, critical thinking, and compassion to improve people’s lives is something I’ll never take for granted. So yes, I’d choose this path again in a heartbeat (pun intended!).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://precisionpreventivecardiology.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellebelardomd/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drdaniellebelardo

Image Credits

Precision Preventive Cardiology